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Mayor Aboutaleb honoured with Commander title in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten Government 19 September 2024

Government

ROTTERDAM, 19 September 2024 – Ahmed Aboutaleb, the long-serving mayor of Rotterdam, has been promoted to Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau. The honour was presented during his farewell event at De Doelen by King’s Commissioner Wouter Kolff.

The royal decoration was awarded in recognition of Aboutaleb’s contributions to public service and his influence on European and international policy, particularly in urban governance and climate adaptation.

Ahmed Aboutaleb promoted to Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau

On 19 September 2024, Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam, was awarded the title of Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau (Orde van Oranje-Nassau). The award, presented by Wouter Kolff, the King’s Commissioner for South Holland, took place during a public farewell ceremony at De Doelen. The title is bestowed in recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to Dutch society.

A career marked by service

Born in 1961, Aboutaleb has had a long career in public service, gaining recognition for his dedication to addressing issues such as integration, migration, and urban policy. Throughout his tenure, he has been a strong advocate for Rotterdam’s transformation, both in its architectural significance and its cultural landscape. Under his leadership, the city hosted major events such as the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the Eurovision Song Contest, and King’s Day celebrations.

Aboutaleb is also known for his compassion and ability to connect with the residents of Rotterdam, often seen as a figure of comfort in times of crisis. His presence following significant events, including the Charlie Hebdo attack and the Erasmus Medical Centre shooting, resonated with many in the city.

During his time in office, he consistently took action to help those affected by laws and regulations, ensuring their voices were heard. He gained a reputation as someone who was willing to assist residents with issues outside of his formal responsibilities, and he played a key role in reducing polarisation within the city.

International efforts and climate advocacy

Beyond his influence in Rotterdam, Aboutaleb has had a notable impact on the European stage. He has worked tirelessly to bring urban issues to the forefront of the European agenda, advocating for policies on integration, labour mobility, and resilience. His efforts in promoting climate adaptation have garnered international attention, particularly his role in hosting the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam for three consecutive years (2022–2024) and his participation in global events such as COP28 in Dubai.

Through his initiatives, Aboutaleb has sought to position Rotterdam as a hub for green hydrogen, contributing to the city’s transition towards sustainable energy.

Political career and legacy

Aboutaleb began his political career in 2004 as an alderman in Amsterdam, overseeing education, youth, work, and urban policy. He later served as the State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment in the Balkenende IV cabinet. In January 2009, he succeeded Ivo Opstelten as mayor of Rotterdam, becoming the second post-war mayor to serve a third term. Earlier this year, he announced his decision to step down from his role as mayor, marking the end of an era for the city.

The Order of Orange-Nassau

Established in 1892, the Order of Orange-Nassau is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Dutch society. There are six grades in the order, ranging from Knight Grand Cross to Member. Aboutaleb’s promotion to Commander (Commandeur) is one of the higher ranks, reflecting his significant contributions both within Rotterdam and internationally.

Rotterdam’s farewell to Mayor Aboutaleb: events lineup

Bryan van Putten Government 23 August 2024

Government

ROTTERDAM, 23 August 2024 – Rotterdam prepares to bid farewell to its long-serving mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, with a series of public events celebrating his 15 years in office. The festivities offer citizens a chance to express their gratitude and mark the end of an era.

Farewell to mayor Aboutaleb this autumn

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, who announced in January that he would be stepping down, is now entering the final weeks of his tenure. Having served Rotterdam for over 15 years, his last day in office will be on 1 October. To mark the occasion, a series of events has been organised, providing residents of Rotterdam an opportunity to bid him farewell. These events are also intended as a gesture of thanks to the city’s people for their engagement, trust, and dedication.

Festival at Het Park

On Sunday, 25 August, a special Rotterdam Day will be held, featuring a festival in Het Park, near the Euromast. The festival will include eight stages showcasing a variety of music, dance, poetry, children’s activities, acrobatics, and more. The programme schedule and details can be found on the official Rotterdam website. This event is open to everyone.

Symposium at the city hall

A symposium will take place on 11 September at the city hall, bringing together current and former mayors, government officials, members of parliament, and scholars. The gathering will focus on the future of mayoral responsibilities and the developments within the office. While the symposium is inspired by Aboutaleb’s departure, it is not considered an official farewell ceremony.

Acknowledging 15 years of service

Mayor Aboutaleb has built a substantial network of business and governmental connections over the past 15 years. He has led trade missions with business representatives and tackled local, regional, and national issues alongside fellow administrators. In collaboration with stakeholders in the city, he has addressed significant urban and social challenges. His leadership during complex times, such as terrorist threats, the COVID-19 pandemic, and refugee accommodation, has been widely appreciated both in the Netherlands and abroad. On 19 September, he will thank his professional associates with a dedicated event at De Doelen.

Special council meeting

Municipal employees will have the opportunity to say farewell to Mayor Aboutaleb on 23 September. Additionally, a special council meeting will be held on 26 September, where city councillors will formally bid farewell to their chairman.

How to reach the event locations

Het Park, near the Euromast: This centrally located park is accessible by tram and metro. It is a short walk from the Dijkzigt metro station and is also reachable by car, with parking available nearby.

City Hall (Stadhuis): Located at Coolsingel 40, the city hall is easily accessible by tram and metro, with Stadhuis station just a short walk away.

De Doelen: Situated at Schouwburgplein 50, De Doelen is conveniently located in the city centre, close to Rotterdam Central Station, and is well served by public transport.

End of an era: Mayor Aboutaleb stepping down

Bryan van Putten Government 09 January 2024

Government

ROTTERDAM, 9 January 2024 – Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb announces his departure scheduled for the coming autumn, marking the end of over 15 years of leadership.

Mayor Aboutaleb to step down this autumn

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has announced his decision to resign from his role as Mayor of Rotterdam during the upcoming autumn. After serving Rotterdam for more than 15 years, he believes it is time for a new mayor to take over the reins.

The decision, according to Mayor Aboutaleb, was difficult to time but was made with careful consideration. “I have discussed my decision with the Commissioner of the King over the past few months. The city council and the college are now nearly halfway through their mandate and are well-versed in managing the city. This timing also allows ample opportunity for the appointment of a new mayor before the next municipal elections,” he explained.

The precise date for the end of his term will be determined in consultation with the presidium. “Until the termination of my appointment is finalized, I will continue to fulfil my duties as mayor with undiminished commitment.”

During his New Year's speech at the city hall this afternoon, Mayor Aboutaleb was accompanied by fellow administrators, city council members, and citizens of Rotterdam who contribute positively to the city and its residents through their volunteer work and community engagement.

Mayor Aboutaleb expressed his wishes for everyone in 2024, emphasizing care, love for one's neighbour, and the importance of valuing and speaking positively about others. “The world is entrusted to those who, with positive effort, trust, and good intentions, wish to serve humanity.”

Rotterdam's 2024 European Parliament election: voter turnout and results

Bryan van Putten Government 26 June 2024

Elections & Referendums

ROTTERDAM, 9 June 2024 – The final results for the European Parliament election in Rotterdam have been released, showing a 33.9% voter turnout. This figure is nearly identical to the turnout in the 2019 election.

^{Update 27 June 2024: A previous version of this article referred to the results as preliminary. However, the final results turned out to be identical.}

Final results of European Parliament election in Rotterdam

The final results for the European Parliament election held on 6 June 2024 in Rotterdam have been announced. The turnout for this election was recorded at 33.9%, closely matching the 34% turnout from the previous European Parliamentary election in 2019.

Final results of the 2024 European Parliament election in Rotterdam

Overview of voting results

In the election, a variety of political parties competed for votes in Rotterdam. GroenLinks/Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) emerged as the frontrunner, securing a significant portion of the vote. Other notable parties, such as VVD, D66, and PVV (Partij voor de Vrijheid), also performed strongly. Several smaller parties, including 50PLUS and JA21, received a smaller share of the vote.

The total number of eligible voters in Rotterdam was 464,402, with 157,206 votes cast. A small number of these were blank or invalid votes, totalling 746.

Next steps

The final results of the European Parliament election in Rotterdam were officially determined on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, at 10:00 AM by the main polling station in Rotterdam. This session was closed to the public. The process-verbal (detailed report) of all polling stations was posted on 11 June in the afternoon on the official results website: uitslagen.stembureausinrotterdam.nl.

The Dutch burqa ban in Rotterdam - the rules and exceptions

Bryan van Putten Government 02 August 2019

The Partial Ban on Face-Covering Clothing Act, popularly referred to as the burqa or niqab ban, entered into force on 1 August 2019. The ban says it is not allowed to wear face-covering clothing in education, government institutions, health care and public transport.

As of 1 August 2019, it is forbidden for anyone to wear facial clothing in the tram, bus, metro and train as well as in and around buildings of education, healthcare and government. At these locations, it is deemed important, in the interested of public safety and services, that everyone can recognise and look at each other. It is therefore not permitted to wear clothing that makes the face unrecognizable, such as a full-face helmet, balaclava or burqa.

Part of the reason why people have dubbed it the 'burqa ban,' is because the law was first introduced as a motion by far-right, anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders in 2005.

How the burqa ban works

On paper, a person wearing facial clothing can be made aware of the ban by an employee of the location in public transport and in a building of education, care and government. The employee may ask the person concerned to remove the facial clothing or otherwise leave the location. If the person involved does not do this, the police can be called in and they risk a fine of €150.

Unwillingness to enforce

However, in Rotterdam, the police and public transportation authority RET, have both expressed unwillingness to enforce the ban. If you do wear a burqa or niqab, it's highly unlikely that you'll be fined for taking a ride in the tram. Erasmus University has indicated they won't be enforcing the ban either. Rotterdam-based political party NIDA has announced it will reimburse every woman who receives a fine.

How many women wear niqabs in the Netherlands? 0.002%

Critics of the law say it tackles a 'problem' that does not exist. The amount of women who wear burqas in the Netherlands is statistically irrelevant. It is very rare to see a woman wearing a burqa on the street. There are, however, some women who wear niqabs. In 2006, experts estimated there were between 50 and 100 women who regularly wear niqabs in the Netherlands. Other estimates ranged from 200 to 400. One expert, professor Annelies Moors puts the number somewhere between at least 100 regular wearers and at the most 400 (including parttime wearers). If one were to take the highest estimate (400) and the lowest population count (17 million), the math would show that 0.002% of the population wear niqabs.

Exceptions to the Dutch burqa ban

The ban does not apply to clothing that is necessary for the protection of the body, for example in the exercise of a profession or a sport. Nor does the prohibition apply to clients, patients or their visitors in living quarters of care institutions where people are staying for a longer period of time. Finally, the ban does not apply to clothing that is suitable for festive and cultural activities.